Soft-tire alarm



Juli 11, 19%., 1,4995% 0. NELSON SOFT TIRE ALARM Filed Dec. 13 1923 Patented duly T, 11.;111

OTTO NELSON, F HOLLOOD, CALIFORNIA.

, SOFT-TIRE nnnnnr.

Application filed December 18, 1923. Serial No. 680,430,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'r'ro NELSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Holly- Wood, in the county of Los Angelesand a State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Soft-Tire Alarms, of which the following is a specific tion;'

This invention relates to soft tire alarms and to a mechanical bell construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bell hammer mechanism.

M An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive form of alarm-de- 15 vice adaptedto be readily attached to the spoke of a wheel of a pneumatic tired vehlcle, whereby to'give an alarm when the tire becomes of an undesirable low pressure condition.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest inthe following specification of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device as applied to a wheel and tire; parts of the latter being in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the device applied.

Fig. .3 is a sectional view through the :50 shell and bell mechanism and shows the working levers in elevation. 7

-Fig. 4 is a section on line 4l4= of Fig. 3.

The present invention consists of any suitable bell 2 appropriately mounted as on a post 3 secured in a base 4, .upon which is arranged a suitable gear train including a pinion 5. lhe pinion 5 is secured to'a gear 6 and the latter engages a gear 7 on the 0st 3 which is also secured to a rotor 8 on t e post.

The rotor is disposed contiguous to, the bell 2 and is provided with one or more independent hammers 10, forming a feature of this invention. The rotor consists of any suitable frame or carrier including upper and lower plates 9 between which the hammers 10 are arranged substantially radially to the post.,3 about which the rotor turns. The plates 9 of the rotorare connected by lugs 11 spaced from each other in pairs and forming in each pair an opening through which a hammer 1O is'thrownto an outermost position by a centrifu al action when the rotor is turning. Each ammer is here 5 shown as substantially triangular in plan and as having rear corner ears 12 positioned to engage the respective pair' of lugs 11 when the hammer 1s thrown outward. The hammer in the normal position projects radially from the post 3 and in the carrier 8 and the outermost end of each hammer is designed to engage a projecting portion as a pin 15, fixed on the bell within which the set of hammers are shown positioned. The hammers are adapted to swing freely inwardly when impinging the bell pin 15; one car 12 of the striking hammer rocking as a pivot on the contiguous supporting lug 11, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. As soon as the engaged hammer swings awayfrom the striking pin the hammer will be thrown outwardly again to its position by a centrifugal action of the rotor. It is understood that the hammers are thrown to their outer position without spring action or support, and they will be outwardly positioned instantly upon the start of rotation of the rotor.

Various means may be employed for actuating the gear train of the bell, and such means is shown as consisting of a rack 16, the toothed edge of which is in engagement with the pinion 5. Reciprocationof the rack will cause the rotation of the pinion and of the rotor. Reciproeation of the rack 16 in either direction efl'ects the ringing of the signal bell 2, since the several hammers 10 are operable in either direction of rotation of the rotor.

The soft tire alarm of the'present invention includes a suitable lever arm 20 pivoted at 21 on a bracket 22, forming a part of an attaching means such as the plate 4. The plate is provided at one end with a clamp structure adapted to be closed around and secured on a spoke S of the vehicle wheel, havin a pneumatic tire T.

A. 0 amp is shown as consisting of a pair 'of swinging jaw 24L, the free ends of which may be drawn around a spoke and fastened by a bolt 25.

In the present case the lever 20 is shown as extending down on one side of the tire T and when the tire bulges laterally to an undesirable degree as when it becomes under inflated, the upper end of the lever becomes efl'ective to sound a signal by the .ringing of bell 2 mounted on the plate 4:. In this case the bell is'concealed in the shell 26 to protect it from mud and dirt the shell being provided preferably with, screened apertures 26 affording emanation of sound from the enclosed bell.

The bell will besounded by the movement of the rack 16 energizing the ear train of the bell. The lever is norma y pressed against the side of the tire as for instance k by a spring 20 which may be coiled. about the pivot 21 on which the lever is mounted.

As shown, one ear of the spring extends up through an aperture provided therefor in the outer end of the rack so that the rack is drawn out, by the spring at the same time that the lever arm 20 is pressed inwardly against the side of the tire.

Further embodiments, modifications and variations may be resorted to within the principle of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal bell, a rotor forming a chamber and providin spaced stops, and a bell striking hammer reely mounted in the chamber of the rotor and limited in an out I ward position by engagement withthe said stops, said hammer being adapted to pivot on either of the stops when'striking a bell part, the hammer being provided with a pair of ears engaging the said stops in the outermost positidn of the hammer while the rotor is rotating.

2. A soft tire alarm device comprising in combination, means adapted to be clamped to a part of a wheel provided with a pneumatic tire andincluding a bell, means for striking the bell to produce a sound signal, and a lever arm pivotally mounted and extending downwardly into engagement with the tire and operating the bell-striking means when the tire bulges laterally unduly, said bell-striking means including an element extending, laterally to be engaged by the lever when swung bythe tire.

V 3. A soft tire alarm device comprising in combination, means adapted. to be clamped to a part of a wheel rovided with a pneumatic tire and includin a bell, means for striking the bell to pro uce a sound signal, a lever arm pivotally mounted and extending downwardly into enga emen't with the tire and operating the bel -striking means when the tire bulges laterally unduly, said bell-striking means including an element ex tending laterally to be engaged by the lever when swung by the tire, and a spring for normally pressing the lever against the tire.

4. A soft tire alarm device comprising in combination, means adapted to be clamped to a part of a wheel provided with a pneumatic tire and including a bell, means for striking the bell to produce a sound signal, a lever arm pivotally mounted and extending downwardly into engagement with the tire and operating the bell-striking means when the tire bulges laterally unduly, said bell-striking means including an element extending laterally to be engaged by the lever when swung by the tire, and a spring for normally pressing the lever against the tire, said spring being connected to the said member to draw the same outwardly.

5 A soft tire alarm device having a clam to engage a spoke of a wheel to hold the device against the inner face of a fellv having a rim provided with a pneumatic tire, said device including a bell means for striking the bell to produce a sound signal and including a train of gears, a lever arm pivotally mounted and extending into engagement with a tire, and a gear rack connected to the lever arm and engaging one of the gears tofoperate the bell when the tire becomes so t.

6. A soft tire alarm device comprising a frame adapted to be mounted against the inner face of a felly carrying a rim and pneumatic tire, a bell upon the frame, a gear train having hammers for hitting the bell, a gear rack engaging one of the gears and extending laterally, a lever pivotally mounted and'connected at one end to the gear-rack and having the other end bearing upon the side of the felly.

"In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

o'r'ro NELSON. 

